Mixing valve



April 8, 1952 L. H. PERRY 2,592,062

MIXING VALVE Filed Aug. 21, 1945 HOT "III m INVENTOR. 4440/5 A! 1 5/69);

' structures.

Patented Apr. 8, 19:52

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MIXING VALVE .Landis-H. Perry, Glendale, Calif.

Application August zl, 1945, Serial No:611-,836

I 9 Claims.

This invention relates to valves and hasasits general object to provide an improved valve which combines the functions of mixingtwo separate streams of. fluid in a blended discharge and controlling the quantity of discharge from afull flow to a completely shut ofi' condition. The invention is particularly useful as'embodied in. a hot and cold water faucet.

.An object: of. the invention is to. provide a valve having a: single control member having universal pivotal movement and adapted when moved between one. setofropposedzpositions to control the blending of the fluids andwhen' movedvbetween another set :of opposed positions, to control the quantity :of flow. Another object is .to provide suchavalve in which the control member may assume any one of an infinite number of positionslying either in or intermediate the planes of movement between. the aforesaid opposed positions, in order that any desired combination of I blending and quantity ofcfiow may be attained.

A further object is to providea'valve which may be operated to determine the'degree of blending between :two separate Tfluid streams before theflowrirom the valve isstarted. or can be operated. to vary the blending withoutichanging the volume oflnflow.

Attempts in the past to provide :a combined mixing valve and volumencontrol valve haveresultediin rather complicated and impractical A particularly 'difiicult problem in such development has been the problemiofsealinga universally movable valve element with reference .to the several flow parts with which it must cooperate. One .of l the'obje'cts: of 'my 'invention is toprovide a combined volume vand bleriding control valve having relatively s simple a valvehaving sealing means;that;will:;not leak.

This has been-aparticularly difficult problem in this type of valve, and the invention solves the problemmin a relatively simple yetextremelyjeffective manner.

Finally, it isa'an important object 10f" the'in-v vention 't0:.provide a valve which, in addition to they above characteristics .is simple, easily .constructed, readily taken apart ciorrrepair or .re-

placement of parts, and :extremely sturdy and durable.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent iromthe following specification, in connection with the appended drawingazinwhich:

Figure .ltisraplanview of a faucet valve :embodying my invention;

Figure :Zisa vertical sectionalview ofthe same takenvon the line2-,2 of Fig. 1;

vFigure 3 is a vertical vsectional view of -.th,e valve taken on the line;3,3 of;Fig. 2;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the main body portionoof the valveand including valveseats; and

.Figure 5 isza vertical sectional view of;avalve embodying a modifiedtform of the invention,

As an example of oneform in which themvention may be embodiedtlhave-shown in igs.

1 to 4 inclusive a valve adapted tocontrol-the blending and volume of flow of streams of hot and :cold water from :hot and coldwaterpipes It) and ll respectively. Thevalve includesa main valvetbody l2 having-internally threaded bosses l3 and M respectively into which .the pipes l and Here threaded. The valveibody has a semiespherical socket ifiadapted to receive the lower half of a spherical ball valve element 6. The socket I is located centrally ofthebody l2 and is connected to an outlet wport I! which is coaxial with the center of generationof the spherical surface of the socket l5. The body I2 hasa'threaded opening l8, concentric with the port [1, into which is threadedla nut 19 that servesto attach to thebody' i2 an outlet nozzle 28. The nozzle 20 has at its inner enda' fiange 2| which is clamped against a shoulder 22 :defined between the port I! .andthe threadedopening IS. ,,A gasket23rforms a: seal between the flange 2i and thenut ill.

The body 12 is provided with hotand cold waterports is and iires-pectivelsc each disposed radially :with reference to the center of generationzoi the spherical socket I5 and therefore :normal :to the spherical surface. Aligned connecting. passages 26 and J2? join. theports v 24 andtt .tothe-pipes Ill and. I lrespectively. .Each of theports it and 25rcommunicates with a counterborett, the "bottom of which formst-a shoulder 29. Seated against the :shoulder 29; in each counterbore :28 is a compressible washer 30, and seatedtagainst each-Washer 30,, ina respectivegcounterbore -28 is anxannular valvesseat 3!, having aspherical seating surface.

The'body 12- has an annular groove 32 -en circling the-socket l5, coaxial with the axis of the outlet port I1, and opening radially inwardly about the main axis 42.

into the spherical surface of the socket l5. In the groove 32 is seated an O-ring 33 (a ring of compressible material such as rubber or synthetic rubber, round in cross section). The spherical valve element I6 is seated in the socket IS, in sealing engagement with the seating surfaces of the valve seat rings. 3| and in sealing engagement with the O-ring 33. The valve element I6 is maintained in such sealing engagement by a coil spring 34 which is engaged under compression between the surface of the valve element and a flange 35 of a cap 36. The cap 36 has an internally threaded flange 31 which is threaded onto an externally threaded collar 38 on the body l2, concentric with the axis of the port This axis will hereinafter be referred to as the main axis of the valve, and by the numeral 42.

The valve element I6 is provided with diametrically opposed trunnions 39, which are confined within diametrically opposed recesses defined cooperatingly by notches 40 and 4| respectively in the collar 38 and cap 36. The recesses I 40, 4| confine the trunnions 39 in such a manner as to prevent rotation of the valve element l6 However, the recesses 40, 4| have suflicient depth in the direction parallel to the axis 42 to permit oscillation of the valve element |6 about an axis extending at right angles to the axis 42 and at right angles to the general plane of the recesses 40, 4|. Such axis is indicated in Fig. 2 at 43. Also, the trunnions 39 may rotate in the recesses 40, 4| so as to-permit the valve element |6 to oscillate about anaxis that is at right angles to the axis 42 and lies in the general plane of the recesses 40, 4|. This axis is indicated at 44 in Fig. 3.

Secured to and extending from one side of the valve element I6 is an operating lever 45 havin at its outer end a knob 46 which is preferably of spherical form to facilitate the universal movement of the lever 45. Movement of the valve element I6 about the axis 43 is effected by moving the lever as indicated by the arrow 48 in Fig. 2. Movement of the valve element l6 about the axis 44 is effected by moving the lever 45 as indicated by the double arrow 49 in Fig. 3.

The valve element l6 may simply be a solid sphere, provided with a recess or notch 50 in a side opposite the lever 45. The notch 50 extends from side to side of the valve element IS in a direction parallel to the axis 44, but extends only on one side of the common plane of the axis 44 and the lever 45. Consequently, by shifting the valve element about the axis 44 from the neutral position shown, toward the "off position as indicated on the drawing, the notch 50 may be shifted completely out of communication with the ports I1, 24 and 25, whereas by shifting the lever 45 in the on direction about the axis 44, a greater area of notch 50 will be exposed to the ports ll, 24, and 25 than in the neutral position. It may be noted at this point that in the position referred to above as the neutral position, the valve element will permit a moderate flow of water, blended equally from the hot and cold streams, to the outlet port By moving the lever 45 in the on or off direction while maintaining it in the common plane of the axes 42 and 43, the volume may be increased or decreased without changing the blending ratio.

-It will be seen that in the neutral position of the valve element, each end of the notch 50 is in partial communication with a respective port 24, 25. When the valve element is oscillated about the axis 43, in the hot direction, as

predicted by the arrow in Fig. 2, one end of the notch 50 will increase its area of communication with the port 26, While the other end decreases its communication with the port 21. Consequently, the flow of hot water will be increased while the flow of cold water is decreased. Conversely, movement in the cold direction will increase the communication with the port 21 and decrease the communication with the port 26, thereby increasing the flow of cold water and decreasing the flow of hot water. This change in the blending of the hot and cold streams may be effected irrespective of the degree of oscillation of the valve element lfi'about the axis 44. It will therefore be apparent that any desired quantity of flow of the blended stream of water of any proportion of blending may be obtained.

When the lever 45 is moved entirely to the off position, the notch 50 is separated from communication with the ports 26 and 21. Thus a complete sealing takes place between the spherical surface of the valve element l6 and the spherical seating surfaces of the inlet valve seat rings 3|, thereby obviating the need of any sealing means at the outlet port. This will be apparent from an inspection of the dotted line position of the notch 50 shown in Fig. 3, and the relation thereof to the ports 24 and 25 the bottom of which is also shown in dotted lines. The resilient washers 30 yieldingly maintain the valve seat rings 3| in snug engagement with the surface of the valve element l6. The seat rings 3| may be of a phenolic resin material which takes a high polish and maintains an extremely close fit with the member to which it is fitted, throughout countless movements thereof. The valve element |6 itself may be solid brass or plated steel, or may be of plastic or other suitable material.

. The O-ring 33 seals the valve against the escape of liquid upwardly through the cap 36. In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 5, the valve seat rings 3| and resilient washers 30 maybe dispensed with. Instead, a flexible lining 5| of rubber or a similar material is interposed between the valve element l6 and the socket l5, and the pressure of the water will move the liner 5| out of contact with th spherical surface of the socket l5 into the notch 50 in order thatithe water may find a pathway from a port 24 or 26 to the port l1.

The liner 5| is preferably bounded to the surface of the socket I5 and all the areas thereof except those areas that may be associated with the notch 50, and has a smooth inner surface which will permit the surface of the valve element I6 to slide thereon. Alternatively, the central region of the liner 5| may be bonded to the surface of the valve element l6 around the periphery of the notch 56 and the marginal region'of the liner 5| may be bonded to the marginal region of the socket I5. Sufficient spacing. between the valve element 16 and the socket I5 may then be provided to permit'free movement of the central portion of the liner 5|, which, being bonded to the valve I6, may then stretch sufficiently to permit the requisite valve movement. I r

- -While the particular apparatus herein shown and described in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferre'd embodiment-of my invention, and that I escapes do not mean to limit myself to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A valve comprising: a valve body having a general semi-spherical socket and a pair ofv inlets and an outlet port all opening into said socket, with the inlet ports arranged in a common diametral plane and, the outlet port centered between said'inlet ports; and aspherical valve element universally pivotal in said socket and having a single recess extending from side to side thereof in one direction and from an equatorial plane thereof to only one side thereof in a direction at right angles to said one direction, said recess being adapted to communicate with said inlet ports at, its respective ends, and with said outlet port intermediate its ends, and being adapted to vary its ratio of communication with the respective inlet ports as the result of oscillation of the valve element about an axis perpendicular to said recess and to vary the degree of communication of said inlet ports with said outlet port as the result of oscillation about an axis at right angles to said one axis.

2. A valve comprising: a valve body having a socket and a pair of inlet ports and an outlet port opening into said socket, and having a pair of counterbores coaxial with and communicating with said inlet ports; a pair of annular valve seats received in the respective counterbores; washers of compressible elastic material interposed between said valve seats and the bottoms of said counterbores; a valve element having a spherical surface received in said socket and against which said valve seats are yieldingly urged by said compressible washers, said valve element having recess means for simultaneously establishing communication between both the said inlet ports and said outlet port; and means restricting said valve element to movement about one axis and about an axis perpendicular thereto.

3. A valve comprising: a valve body having a socket and a pair of inlet ports and anoutlet port opening into said socket, said valve body also having an annular groove coaxial with and encircling said socket between said inlet ports and the margin thereof; a valve element having a spherical surface received in said socket and a depression cooperating with both said inlet ports and said outlet port for simultaneously establishing variable communication therebetween;

sealing members surrounding said inlet ports mounted in said valve body and bearing against said valve element; an O-ring seating in said annular grove in sealing engagement with the spherical surface of said valve element; resilient means urging said valve body into said socket to provide, with said sealing members, a fluid seal therebetween; and means limiting said valve element to movement about two perpendicular axes.

4. A valve comprising: a valve body having a socket and a pair of inlet ports and an outlet port therein communicating with said socket; said valve body having a threaded collar forming the rim of said socket and a pair of diametrically opposed notches in said collar; a valve element of spherical form seated in said socket and having passage means for connecting said outlet port in varying ratio of communication with the inlet ports when moved about one axis and in varying degree of communication therewith when moved about a perpendicular axis; a cap threaded upon said threaded collar and operating to urge said opposed relation in said valve element and err-- gage'd in said notches of both collar and cap to prevent rotation of said valve element about said socket ax'isbut permitting oscillation of saidvalveelement about the axis of said trunnions and about an axis at right angles to the axis of said trunnions.

- 5-. A valvecomprising: a valve body having. a

hemi-spherical socket therein and a pairof inlet;

ports and an outlet port all communicating with said socket; a liner of resilient material and of hemi-spherical form in said socket; and a valve element having a spherical surface received within said liner and having a recess adapted to permit a portion of said liner to yield away from said ports so as to establish communication between said inlet ports and said outlet port.

6. A valve comprising: "a valve body having a socket and an inlet and an outlet port communicating with said socket; a liner of relatively thin yielding sheet material in said socket, extending over said ports but adapted to yield away from said ports to establish communication between them; and a valve element having a surface conforming to the shape of said socket and provided with a recess to accommodate the yielding of said liner away from said ports.

7. A valve which includes: a valve body having a socket and a pair of inlet ports and an outlet port therein communicating with said socket; a valve element of spherical form seated in said socket and having passage means for establishing communication between the respective inlet ports when moved about one axis and said outlet port when moved about a perpendicular axis in varyingv ratio of communication with the inlet ports and varying degree of communication with the outlet port; resilient means urging said valve element against said socket to effect a seal therebetween adjacent said ports; means limitingthe movement of said valve element to rotation about two perpendicular axes; and means attached to said valve element to control the position thereof.

8. A valve which includes: a housing having a socket and a pair of inlet ports'ancl an outlet port connecting to said socket; a generally spherical-valve body mounted within said socket for rotation therein and having passage means for establishing communication between the respective inlet ports and said outlet port in varying ratio of communication with the inlet ports when moved about one axis and varying degree of communication with the outlet port when moved about a perpendicular axis; resilient means urging said valve body against said socket; annular sealing members between said valve body and said socket, establishing a fluid seal therebetween at least around said ports; means limiting the movement of said valve body to rotation about said two perpendicular axes; and means attached to said valve body to control the posi-- tion thereof.

9. A valve which includes: a housing having a socket and a pair of inlet ports and an outlet port connecting to said socket; a generally spherical valve body mounted within said socket for rotation therein and having passage means for connecting said outlet port in varyingratio REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Whidden Dec. 25, 1923 Engel Oct. 6, 1925 Cochran Jan. 11, 1927 Leibing Mar. 6, 1928 Larrigan July 17, 1928 Kumpman et al. Feb. 6, 1934 Bittle Nov. 12, 1935 Freeman -1 Dec. 21, 1943 

